The Aquino Administration and the Priorities on ICT

The Possibilities of Creating the Department of Information Communications Technology in the Aquino Administration

After the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Noynoy Aquino, we are all starting to witness for the gradual progress of our country in the Aquino administration. He is starting to find solutions to the problems in our country and implement laws and programs which are timely and helpful to the needs of the citizens. One of the programs that the President should focus is the information communications technology (ICT) which is very popular in the society nowadays. Recently, a commission called Commission on Information Communications Technology (CICT) was created under Executive Order No. 269 dated January 12, 2004 that gives emphasis on the development of ICT in our country.

Last July 16, 2010, an article was written by Roberto R. Romulo on the Philippine Star about the Commission on ICT. According to Romulo, the President will pursue the creation of Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT). In addition, he also mentioned that no one had been appointed yet to the position of Chairman for the Commission of Information Communications Technology. This commission is an important office that can contribute greatly to the national modernization and economic expansion.

From this article, we can say that the administration should give priority on the Information Communications Technology because nowadays, technology is very clear and present among Filipinos from different sectors of society: from using of cellphones to computers up to the Internet. Hopefully in the Fifteenth Congress, it will approve by the legislators who create laws for the proper use of technology especially in cellphones, computers and Internet for the Filipinos. In addition, the creation and implementation of DICT is a milestone to our new government.

Plans and Programs for the Progress of the Information Communications Technology in the New Administration

If the Department of Information Communications Technology will come to life in this administration, what are the appropriate laws and programs to plan and implement by our politicians concerning the sector of information communications technology?

During the previous years, information communications technology (ICT) was gradually progressing in our society: from introduction of computers, high-tech machines and gadgets used by the members of the elite until it reaches its influence to the different sectors of society. It indicates that ICT is not just dominating the society but it is also relevant to the needs of people. For example, ICT is now integrated in education through adding Computer subjects in some elementary and secondary schools nationwide and in some degree courses in college. In addition, there are vocational and four-year courses that focus on computer and information technology, which prepares the citizens for the careers in the actual workplace and to meet the demands of the current mainstream of society which is technology and multi-tasking duties. Finally, ICT-oriented jobs such as call center agents, IT technicians, system analysts, web experts, office encoders and others are in-demand in the professional careers nowadays. These are the evidences that ICT made in our society in the new millennium.

After the creation of Commission of Information Communications Technology which was occurred during the Arroyo administration, we are hoping that this commission in the Aquino administration will give way to the foundation of Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) which functions as an office for implementing projects and laws focus on ICT in the Philippines. It also solves issues on the abuse of technology in our society.

There are some issues to solve and different programs to implement by the legislators if the creation will accomplish in the Aquino administration. There are five things to be accomplished if there are laws or programs to plan if DICT will come to life as a new department:

1. Continue the implementation of Computer and Information Technology courses in vocational schools, colleges and universities, additional time allotment and more detailed facilitating of lessons and activities for computer subjects in elementary and secondary level, and integration of ICT in other courses. Continue giving jobs and careers which focus on ICT for economic expansion and high employment rate.

2. Proper guidance for children and teenagers ages eighteen and below on using the computer and Internet by giving a legal rule on using the computer shops or Internet cafes.

3. There will be a research (in local and foreign scene) on E-waste or electronic waste management from computers, cellphones, gadgets and machines and how to recycle it properly.

4. Stop the online abuse like pornography, illegal downloading, scams, hacking, harassment, hate speech, gross disrespect, and cyberbullying which harm and offend other people in using the Internet. There will be a legal sanction for those who make those destructive online habits and coordinate with major websites in order to implement law and order in the Internet.

5. In terms of free downloading of music and videos online, there will be a registration in the said downloading website and affordable payment of fees which is effective for one year in order to have a good service in downloading media files in the website.

Hopefully, our President, legislators and public servants will consider ICT as one of the priorities in the national progress of our country and the Department of Information Communications Technology will create in the Aquino administration.

“Technology delayed is development denied.” - Roberto R. Romulo

Source: “Filipino Worldview” by Roberto R. Romulo, The Philippine Star Business Section, July 16, 2010, p. 3

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=593622&publicationSubCategoryId=66

The Legal and Personal Impacts of Online Abuse

Source: Google Photos

The Internet is considered as an open and digital world by getting closer to the world with just one click away. By simply sitting in the front of our computer, we can search the stuff that we want and we can communicate with people through long distance, just to feel that they are just here.

We are fond of surfing the Net as our pastime through research, online games, forums, discussions and social networking. We can meet new friends, join in forums and discussions, sharing personal insights and opinions, and post journals, photos, and videos. In addition, it makes our communication and research easier through Internet.

Some young Filipinos are spending their time on surfing the net and they take advantage on the freedom of using the Internet. On the contrary, some of them want to harm others through Internet which leads to abuse. Some examples of these cases are online pornography, threats, gossips, hacking, online scams, hate letters, and cyberbullying that results into negative impact to other people.

In some social networking sites, we can report these cases but we need to wait for the approval of the website for the official sanction like canceling the message, photo, video or blog reported and suspension of the personal account of the user who created and spread the abusive stuff. However, these abusive stuff that considered as crimes like cyberbullying, pornography, hacking, gossips, and others are still spreading in the online world. Like what is mentioned before, there are sanctions for these cases but most of us are unaware and ignoring these things that we have the right to report the abuse of Internet that harm others.

Therefore, we can say that there is an absolute freedom in using the Internet. But the outcome is too bad for those who abuse it that results into defamation and conflict. As a matter of fact, Internet users that be careful in meeting people online, use our limitations and be responsible in using the Net and do not use it for abuse and harm. Don't be afraid to report cases of online abuse, we have the right to use it to defend ourselves. For the website administrators, operators, analysts and upcoming Internet professionals and workers, be strict and aware to that negative stuff spreading online. For the government, start making laws on proper use of Internet for the Filipinos because we are in the contemporary world and technology is dominating in our society. To all lawmakers and government officials, give priority on the proper use of Internet as one of the major issues in our society. Finally to all Filipinos and to people in different countries, open our minds for awareness on online abuse and crimes. We can start it in ourselves to stop the abuse on using the Internet for harm and damage of other people online. Use the Internet for good and friendly purposes towards harmonious communication online.

Hopefully, there will be an online profession which is similar to detectives, inspectors, or patrollers that block the abusive online habits, as well as the people who spread the abusive stuff in the Internet and give the appropriate penalty.